Thomas Kane Cavanagh

Tom was born on September 20, 1955, in Springfield, the son of William Kane and Eleanor Margaret Lloyd Cavanagh. He married Diann Reed in Anna Maria, FL in 2013.

Tom was a graduate of St. Agnes Grade School, Griffin High School, and Georgetown University, and made good friends at each stop.

Tom had a lifelong interest in government and politics and had a 32-year career as a local elected official. He served on the Springfield Park Board, as Sangamon County Auditor, and four terms as Sangamon County Treasurer. He served in leadership roles with the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD), The Illinois County Auditors’ Association, and the Illinois County Treasurers’ Association. In 1996 he was awarded the IAPD’s Presidential Award for his service as association treasurer. He was a two-time Illinois County Treasurer of the Year and the 2018 Illinois County Official of the Year. He was appointed by Governor Ryan to the Illinois Local Records Commission. Prior to his service in Sangamon County government, Tom worked for many years for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs in the Job Training Division and the Division of Audits.

Tom enjoyed sports and rooted for the St. Louis Cardinals, the Chicago Bears, and the Fighting Illini. He played on two undefeated youth baseball teams: The 1965 Tolly’s Market of the Clark Griffith Little League and the 1969 Marriott’s Pharmacy of the Washington Park Pony League. He was a member of the 1973 City Basketball Champion Griffin Cyclones. Tom told many a naysayer over the years that Dave Figueira’s 71-foot miracle shot against the Southeast Spartans did indeed go straight through the basket.

Tom was a member of the Sangamo Club, the American Business Club, Knights of Columbus Council 364, Elks Lodge #158, Tara Hills Homeowners’ Association, and the Georgetown University Alumni Admissions Program. He was active in the St. John’s Breadline ministry through St. Agnes Church.

Tom had a fondness for travel of any kind and was able to enjoy many fun adventures with Diann in his later years. He was very interested in geography with waterfalls being a personal favorite. Tom had a lifelong interest in American history and recorded hundreds of C-SPAN lectures which he enjoyed viewing in his spare time. His favorite subjects were Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery, the Vicksburg campaign, particularly the crucial role of the U.S. Navy ironclads, Lincoln, Grant, Sherman, MacArthur, and Eisenhower.

Tom had a fondness for French baguettes, Belgian beer, Irish sweaters, Italian cuisine, British TV mysteries, Australian licorice, Canadian whiskey, and an all too rare Cuban cigar. He loved his family and friends.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers-in-law, Jeff Magill and Tom Witges.

He is survived by his wife, Diann of Springfield; son, Matt (Kalena) Cavanagh of Houston, TX; daughter, Courtney (Alexa Machulis) Cavanagh of Portland, ME; granddaughter, Cameron Busby Cavanagh of Houston, TX; five sisters, Anne (Jeff, deceased) Magill, Mary (Tom) Corcoran, Maureen (Randy) Squires, Katy (Joe) Khayyat, all of Springfield, and Susan (Bob) Larkin of Silver Spring, MD; three brothers, Bill (Colleen Lucas) Cavanagh of Washington D.C., Bob (Maureen) Cavanagh, and Pat Cavanagh, both of Springfield; aunt, Sandy Cavanagh of Springfield; sisters-in-law, Lisa (Tom, deceased) Witges of Albers, IL and Sandra Kinion of Bradenton, FL; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Cremation will be provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

Memorial Gathering: Family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 21, 2021, at Butler Funeral Home – Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield. Illinois COVID-19 guidance will be followed, requiring face coverings.

Memorial Ceremony: 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 22, 2021, at Butler Funeral Home – Springfield with Celebrant Judy Woerner officiating. Illinois COVID-19 guidance will be followed, requiring face coverings.

Memorial contributions may be made to Land of Lincoln Goodwill Industries, 1220 Outer Park Dr., Springfield, IL 62704 and and STL Cure Sarcoma, P.O. Box 191185, Saint Louis, MO 63119.